The Nilgiris, popularly known as the “Queen of Hills” is a leading Hill station in south India, comprising of six taluks viz, Udhagamandalam, Coonoor, Kundah, Kotagiri, Gudalur and Pandalur. The United Planters’ Association of Southern India or UPASI felt that in addition to the role it has been playing as a catalytic agent in rural development, it should also urge the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) to set up a KVK under the aegis of UPASI.

And accordingly, a KVK was sanctioned in September, 1982. Today the KVK has become a important link between the farming community on one hand and scientists, extension workers and developmental departments on the other.

The UPASI-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is an innovative and pioneer institution designed and developed under the sponsorship of ICAR to impart need based and skill-oriented training to the Nilgiris farming community, rural youth, extension functionaries and glass-root level workers, in appreciation of the work of UPASI-KVK, the ICAR conferred the best KVK award to UPASI-KVK during the year 1996-97. In addition, the Tea Board, Government of India, has also sanctioned a number of innovation small grower development schemes that are being implemented through UPASI-KVK.